Ruchi: Music That Resonates With Listeners Will Always Find Success

“I do and have always believed that good music has legs and promotes itself.”

Check out the interview with Ruchi exclusively on Skilly Magazine Online.­­­­

Skilly: How were you able to start your journey in the entertainment business? Where did this all start?
Ruchi: I have been chasing this since I was 10 years old. Of course it was challenging because I was so young. I went to a boarding school, so getting in touch with people who could help me was quite difficult. After a few years of working at it during holidays by performing for anyone who would care to listen, I finally wrote a song that I was felt confident enough to play in public. I was now old enough for people not to belittle my goals in wanting to become a musician, and I was also much more confident in telling those that would ask.

What are some of the creative ways you use to promote your music?I do and have always believed that good music has legs and promotes itself. When you have done good work and are confident with it, it just needs it a little push and it spreads. The process may be slow but it is necessary, especially if you don’t have a large budget.

What is the greatest challenge you face in today’s entertainment business? How do you overcome them?Lack of trust. The lack of trust can be found anywhere, but this seems to be the foundation for a lot of issues that arise with artists. I try to deal with this by coming off as a respectable, polite, and level headed person instead of just “an artist” because we have a reputation for being impulsive and slightly unreliable. I also make sure to be as honest.

How is the music scene like in your hometown? What do you like about it and what don’t you like?I am most familiar with the music industry in Nigeria, so I’ll speak about that. Music is a big part of the African culture and I think we have some of the most talented people in the world. For some reason, everyone wants to compromise their talent for what has already seemed to work because it has worked for someone else and made them rich. Because of this you hear a lot of songs that sound the same.

Where do you think the future of music is going to be? How do you feel artists can be more a part of it?I think the longevity of artists will diminish as it becomes easier to release music online and to have a number of people listening to it. This can be good and bad, but I think this will be fantastic because artists and labels will be forced to innovate and put more thought into their music in order to stay relevant.

What advice can you give to other upcoming artists and musicians trying to achieve success?Be ready, invest in relationships, and be confident. Then once you’re sure you’ve done more than all you can, trust the process. Be ready for when the opportunity comes because they are rare and you may never get another. You may be going through a dry spell right now but continue to write, produce, and talk to people so that when the blessing finally comes you can welcome it with open arms.

What inspires you to write your next song?Whatever me or someone that is close to me is going through. I mostly write based on my emotions at the time, so if I just had a party I may write a party song. If I like someone, I may write a love song. Also, if someone I love is going through something significant and I want to empathize, I may write a song about it.

What are the steps you take to make a song?I come up with a theme, a title around which this theme will revolve, and then I write. Sometimes I will just be playing around on an instrument or I’ll have a melody, a drum rhythm, or a chord progression come to mind and I’ll record it on my phone or I’ll make note of it somewhere for when I can sit down and expand on it.

What do you think makes a great song?It must make me feel something. The best artists may not always be the most lyrical or the most skillful singer/songwriter or instrumentalist. Audiences relate to something that makes them feel a certain way. So a great song is one that is able to fulfill its purpose and make the listener not only understand but feel what the artist felt at that moment.